The Las Vegas Raiders made some curious decisions in the offseason with players from last year’s roster. The team let a lot of key players walk in free agency, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback Jack Jones was still on his rookie contract, so the Raiders could’ve let him stay for cheap. Instead, they decided to cut him. Jones has been an inconsistent player in his career, but Las Vegas isn’t brimming with cornerback talent right now.
Jones went to the Miami Dolphins and has started 11 games for the team. During the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Washington Commanders, Jones caught an interception in overtime that set the Dolphins up to hit a game-winning field goal.
It’s the biggest play Jones has made this season and a reminder that he’s capable of making big plays from time to time, something the Raiders haven’t had much of this season.
After the Dolphins beat the Commanders, Jones took to X to call out the Raiders for cutting him.
In hindsight, there wasn’t much risk in keeping Jones. His contract was small and would’ve been easily cut if he were causing problems. The Raiders didn’t do much to address their cornerback room in the offseason, so Jones is likely correct that they should’ve kept him around.
Jones Predicted Marcus Mariota Interception
Jones has a reputation for being a tad immature, which was evidenced by the fact that the Raiders benched him for the first half of a game last season. However, he has proven that he does study film closely and can read a quarterback’s tendencies.
According to Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Jones predicted that Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota was going to throw an interception his way.
“His exact words, he said: ‘Y’all stop the run, [Mariota’s] going to throw me the ball, because he can’t throw,’” Brooks said, via ESPN. “That’s what he said, and that’s what happened.”
Jones made a smart play and won the Dolphins game, which is something the Raiders could’ve used in some key moments this season.
Jones Details Interception
It has been a rocky start to his career for Jones. He played really well as a rookie for the New England Patriots before they soured on him and cut him. He then went to the and reunited with Antonio Pierce, who coached him in high school and college.
He got off to an amazing start, but the team eventually soured on him, too. He’s now making plays for the Dolphins, and he broke down what went into the game-winning interception.
“I saw the tight end, he chipped. Once he chipped, he tried to sneak across the formation,” Jones said. “I had good eyes, and that’s what Coach really been hitting on us all year — really me specifically, because I’m an aggressive corner. You know, my eyes could be my weak spot.
“So he was just hitting on me — good eyes, good eyes, good eyes. I saw the tight end chip, had good eyes, and tried to go across the formation. I just wanted the steal.”
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